Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA is a naturally gifted defender. She has amazing instincts and great athleticism. Heading into this season, I was looking for Alysa to take a step forward because of the production Tusky lost. Alysa took a step forward and then some. She finished region player of the year and averaged 18.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and an unbelievable 7 SPG.

Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA was outstanding again this week, and if I had to pick the best defensive player I’ve watched this year, it would be Alysa. Tuscarora went 2-0 this week, and Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA led them in almost every category. In Tusky’s first game against Dominion, Alysa had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals. Then, in a competitive, low-scoring game against Heritage, Alysa flirted with a quadruple-double. She finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, and 7 steals—another week of high-level basketball from one of the best two-way players in the area.

Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA had herself a tremendous week. She opened the week scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals in a win over Rock Ridge. She then went for 26 points and 12 rebounds in a loss against one of the best teams in the state in Woodgrove. Then she capped off her brilliant week with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 steals in a win over Broad Run. Alysa is one of the best defenders in the state and a truly gifted athlete. She was great last year, but Alysa has taken a real step this year. This was about as good of a week as she’s played, and that says a lot for such an outstanding player.

I want to highlight another elite defender, Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA , and what she was able to do this week. She led Tuscarora to a 3-0 week and had a few outstanding performances. On Tuesday against Freedom South-riding, she had 17 points, 8 steals, and 5 blocks. Then, on Friday against Independence, she had 19 points and 11 steals. Alysa is an exceptional defender with her length and high-level athleticism, and she has taken the next step to become a more consistent scorer. Tuscarora lost a lot of production from last year, and they haven’t missed a beat.

Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA is an elite athlete, and she’s starting to put her game together. She is a champion long jumper and an all-around great basketball player. With Tuscarora losing Grace Middleton, one of the best players in the area last year and district player of the year, Alysa will have to take on a more significant role. Alysa led Tusky in rebounds and blocks, and I suspect she’ll lead them in points this year. She is a phenomenal defender, and her athleticism and energy allow her to guard almost every position on the court. If Alysa’s jumper and overall offensive potential pan out this year, she will finish this season ranked higher than 31.

Tuscarora was terrific all year, and the biggest reason for that was their ability to force turnovers and turn their defense into offense. The most significant contributor to that was Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA . She has excellent hands and used her length to get into passing lanes. She had a game against Louisa County in the VHSL Class 4 semis, where she had a staggering 13 steals. She rebounds well and always provides a lift with her passing and scoring.

Even though Tuscarora lost, I was impressed with Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA . Tuscarora’s defense always seems to give teams trouble because of Carrigan. She used her phenomenal defensive instincts and great hands to force turnovers all day. She did a great job pushing the ball and finding open players off of rebounds. She was a bright spot in a losing effort.

Tuscarora added to their impressive season by capturing a region 4C title after a gutsy win over Sheranado. Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA had 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. In the previous round against Millbrook, Carrigan had 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 steals. Alysa always plays bigger than her size collecting rebounds and playing big inside. She was terrific defensively all week and earned a well-deserved shoutout.

HM: Tuscarora is one of the best teams in NOVA at 23-2, and Forward Alysa Carrigan Alysa Carrigan 5'11" | SF Tuscarora | 2024 State VA is a big part of that. She was named to the first team of the Dulles all-district team, and she’s been fantastic all season.